‘Survivor’ champ James ‘J.T.’ Thomas Jr. returns for ‘Heroes vs. Villains’
By Wade KwonSamson native part of 20-person, 20th-season cast
Video: James ‘J.T.’ Thomas prepares
for ‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.”
After more than a month in Brazil, James “J.T.” Thomas Jr. earned $1.1 million as the winner of “Survivor: Tocantins — The Brazilian Highlands” in 2009. He’s back for more. The cattle rancher from Samson returns to battle in Samoa in “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,” premiering Feb. 11 on CBS 42.
The reality show pits contestants against each other in distant locales for $1 million. Thomas, who will compete on the Heroes tribe, not only won the grand prize but picked up an extra $100,000 fan favorite award during May’s season finale.
This isn’t the first season with returning competitors. A previous “All-Stars” season had 18 returning players, while a “Fans vs. Favorites” edition had 10 returning players. Rumors had accurately predicted the cast list weeks before host Jeff Probst revealed it on Wednesday night during the People’s Choice Awards.
Joining Thomas, 25, on the Heroes tribe are:
- Rupert Boneham, “Pearl Islands” and “All-Stars”;
- James Clement, “China” and “Fans vs. Favorites”;
- Colby Donaldson, “Australia” and “All-Stars”;
- Cirie Fields, “Panama” and “Fans vs. Favorites”;
- Amanda Kimmel, “China” and “Fans vs. Favorites”;
- Jessica “Sugar” Kiper, “Gabon”;
- Stephenie LaGrossa, “Palau” and “Guatemala”;
- Tom Westman, “Palau”;
- and Candice Woodcock, “Cook Islands.”
The Villains tribe has:
- Tyson Apostol, “Tocantins”;
- Randy Bailey, “Gabon”;
- Sandra Diaz-Twine, “Pearl Islands”;
- Danielle DiLorenzo, “Panama”;
- Russell Hantz, “Samoa”;
- Jerri Manthey, “Australia” and “All-Stars”;
- Rob Mariano, “Marquesas” and “All-Stars”;
- Parvati Shallow, “Cook Islands” and “Fans vs. Favorites”;
- Benjamin “Coach” Wade, “Tocantins”;
- and Courtney Yates, “China.”
Thomas’ bio on the show’s Web site shares a little more insight on why he’s back …
- Residence: Mobile
- Personal claim to fame: “Being the first in my family to go to college and earn a degree.”
- Inspiration in life: “My family.”
- Favorite past moment: “Winning the final immunity challenge.”
- Previous Survivor he respects most: “Myself. I am my own hero, because of what I accomplished and how it brought my family together.”
- Previous Survivor he respects least: “Jonny Fairplay” (Jon Dalton) (“Pearl Islands,” “Fans vs. Favorites”)
- Why did he come back? : “It’s the ultimate challenge, I couldn’t pass it up.”
Video: Jeff Probst gives a sneak peek at “Heroes vs. Villains.”
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Look for recaps and features from “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” on Wade on Birmingham.
Thursday, January 7, 2010, 1:11 pm
Did he imply that’s he’s dating Sugar?????
Thursday, January 7, 2010, 4:41 pm
I thought he was dating his showmance, Stephen.
Thursday, February 11, 2010, 11:11 pm
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